AI and the Craft of Writing
Philip Roth, one of the most prolific writers of the last one hundred years, was much-lauded, much-loved, and much-derided. But whatever you think of him, it’s hard to think of another writer who has had a broader impact on postmodern literature. This scion of American letters described the writing process as both exhilarating and agonizing, filled with uncertainty, frustration, and the need to constantly begin anew. He emphasized the importance of finding a “paragraph that’s alive” to serve as the foundation for a novel, and the necessity of enduring periods of “freewheeling play” followed by “crises.” In short, this award-winning writer, who infused each of his books with observations and hypotheticals that feel eerily prescient, found the task of writing to be difficult.
Widely interviewed about his craft, Roth famously said that the best writing comes when the writer “go[es] with what’s alive.” He urged writers to follow the energy and direction that feels most authentic and compelling within the work itself, even if it means deviating from initial plans or expectations. Writing itself can have a transformative effect, even though words themselves are comprised of inanimate symbols on a page.
The current narrative that writing is a craft that AI can easily replace implies a lack of understanding about what writing is. Writing uses language to convince, persuade, counter, or inform. AI is, as its very name connotes, artificial. Language is organic; it evolves and adapts to its environment, remaining in a constant state of flux. What does this mean for job seekers or those looking to effectively manage their careers?
If you are seeking a new role, you know that the single most important thing you need to do is stand out from all the other candidates in the crowded field. One of the most significant problems with AI-generated content is that it lacks originality. Large language models produce content based on the patterns and data they’ve been trained on. In other words, the resulting content may mirror common themes, phrases, and ideas found in its training data. This often leads to generic, formulaic, and repetitive content. Generative models also produce content that lacks a unique voice, as they create content based on patterns and data rather than personal experiences or individual styles.
A recent article in the New York Times highlights the “untenable amount of applications” generated via AI. One of the major problems? Many of the resumes are suspiciously similar. Generated resumes might look great, nicely formatted with perfect grammar. But imagine what 100 more resumes from that same generator would look like for the same job posting. Additionally, AI-generated resumes don’t adequately reflect a candidate’s talents or the creativity demanded in many industries.
Humans communicate through storytelling. Whether you are looking at a cave painting, enjoying a Broadway performance, or listening to a podcast, you are consuming a story. The personal narratives, crucial for standing out, are often diluted in AI applications. Human oversight goes beyond spotting errors, fact-checking, and ensuring the content meets ethical standards. Our innate ability to understand nuances and emotional intelligence is a critical part of the writing process. As Philip Roth said:
Part of being a writer is being able to read what you’ve written and see what’s missing, see what needs development, and see what’s suggested by what you wrote. It’s like a trampoline. You know, you’re jumping up and down on this draft, and each jump is an idea.
Tailoring your resume to each specific job and company can significantly boost your chances of standing out among other applicants. Researching the company’s history, values, and industry-specific language is crucial for crafting a resume that aligns with their culture and requirements. It demonstrates genuine interest and understanding, showcasing how your skills and experiences directly relate to what they’re seeking. In an increasingly inauthentic world, it’s the personalized touch that truly makes a difference in the eyes of potential employers.
In a sea of sameness, authenticity stands out. Thoughtful, well-written materials still carry weight—and they always will.